Steeplechase Horse Racing

[JameyPrice]

Anyone have any constructive comments to throw at me on these? I moonlight as an amateur steeplechase jockey and spent some time behind the camera instead of on a horse this past weekend in a few races. I liked how they came out, but I'm no pro. Just a college student with ambitions to do something with photography. Shot with a Nikon D80 and a Sigma 18-125mm (f/3.8) lens.

If youre ever in the market to potentially break into the world of horse racing photography, just hit up a steeplechase race. You can be within INCHES of the racing action on the inside rail and you DO NOT NEED credentials. The press pass is actually probably worse for you because instead of being at a safe vantage point, they let you stand in the middle of the track. Compare it to being in the grass a few feet away from the race track at a circuit where racing is going on. No safety fences. Just you and a field of 10 horses with NOTHING stopping you from being run over by all of them. Now thats a rush. I can tell you from experience that its not quite as much of a rush as sitting on one of those horses, but its pretty cool none the less.

1.


2.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u...f9d3d9df_b.jpg

3.
http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/u...a6d8fa5983.jpg

[Jim Bryant]

First image is really sweet. You got just enough pan and blur to convey the meaning of Steeplechase. Now...all you needed for one rider to go over the horses head

[JameyPrice]

hahaha seen it happen so many times. Knock on wood, its hasnt been me yet. Last year, at this race, a rider buddy of mine went over the front...and in one fall...

dislocated a shoulder
had a concussion
broke both collar bones
fractured a vertebra
broke 4 ribs
had a collapsed lung
AND got a hoof in the face which required MASSIVE reconstructive facial surgery.

He was back in the saddle 5 months later, and is still riding to this day. These gays and gals are THE toughest people you will ever meet.

[shocko990]

Originally Posted by JameyPrice

hahaha seen it happen so many times. Knock on wood, its hasnt been me yet. Last year, at this race, a rider buddy of mine went over the front...and in one fall...

dislocated a shoulder
had a concussion
broke both collar bones
fractured a vertebra
broke 4 ribs
had a collapsed lung
AND got a hoof in the face which required MASSIVE reconstructive facial surgery.

He was back in the saddle 5 months later, and is still riding to this day. These gays and gals are THE toughest people you will ever meet.

yeah`, its hard game,with cheltenham just finished, 25 races, lots of fallers but luckly no one was hurt too bad,

[Jim Bryant]

My daughter broken her shoulder in three places during a Western gaming event. At the time she was one of the top barrel racers in Washington state. So, after two years of trying to get her back upon her own horse, (she broke the shoulder on her sponsor's horse) I just gave up and sold Rosey. Now, no more money going down some black hole

Originally Posted by JameyPrice

hahaha seen it happen so many times. Knock on wood, its hasnt been me yet. Last year, at this race, a rider buddy of mine went over the front...and in one fall...

dislocated a shoulder
had a concussion
broke both collar bones
fractured a vertebra
broke 4 ribs
had a collapsed lung
AND got a hoof in the face which required MASSIVE reconstructive facial surgery.

He was back in the saddle 5 months later, and is still riding to this day. These gays and gals are THE toughest people you will ever meet.

[shocko990]

no jockey here

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by shocko990

no jockey here

At least horses are smart enough to get up and go to their stall afterwards

[shocko990]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

At least horses are smart enough to get up and go to their stall afterwards

pure class

[Vix]

i'm in love with the last shot of the grey!! gorgeous shot.
maybe a faster shutter speed needed for the first 2 shots??